Water heater



1941- CD. ORTGIESEN 2,230,035

WATER HEATER Filed Feb. 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 6/ /1464 5.5D. 07C/E6EN ATTORNEY 1941- c. D. ORTGIESEN 2,230,085

WATER HEATER Filed Feb. 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 42 43 4/ wlmmwINVENTOR CA /7P4 55 7. 0276/6 JEN ATTORNEYS,

Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE 13 Claims.

My invention relates generally to water heaters, and more particularlyit relates to an improved stock watering tank heater of the electrictype and normally adapted to draw electric current only during off peakor low-rate daily seasonal periods.

Objects of my invention are to provide:

A water tank heater unit in which loss of heat by conduction,convection, and radiation, will be reduced to a minimum;

An improved electric heater which is adapted to be completely immersedbelow the water level of a stock-watering tank which it is adapted toheat;

A completely immersible heater having means for supporting it in spacedrelation to the floor or base of the watering tank in which it isdisposed;

An improved heater including a sealed container in which a non-freezingsolution having heat retaining properties is in direct contact withmeans for heating such solution to provide means within the containerfor the storage of heat over extended periods of time;

Improved means for electrically connecting heating elements which aredisposed within a sealed and submerged container to a convenient sourceof electric power;

Automatic means for disconnecting the energizing current when the heaterhas obtained a predetermined temperature and means for protecting thedevice from undue pressure build up or expansion of the heat retainingmaterial.

ther objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon examination of the drawings, descriptionand the claims appended thereto.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a conventional stock-watering tankor trough showing my improved Water heater supported on the bottomthereof.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of my improved waterheater.

Figure 3 is an end view of the heater shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows in fragmentary section the heating element employed inthe tank as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of my invention showing the electricalhookup between the heating elements and the source of power.

Figure 6 shows in fragmentary section an alternate embodiment of theinvention.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughoutthe several views.

An embodiment of the invention as exemplified in the heat storing unitshown in Figure 1 includes a closed receptacle l0, which may besupported by a pair of brackets II at a position below the Water levell3 of tank l2, and preferably at a position near the bottom of the tank.Receptacle Ii! contains a quantity of heat storing material, ashereinafter described, and at least one heating element 14 provided withmeans whereby to electrically insulate it from the heat storingmaterial.

Element 14 has a continuous casing xtending through a water-proofhousing IE to a junction box IE located above the water level of tankl2. A source of electrical energy I8, which may be controlled by a timeswitch 19 or the like, is connected through a conductor IT to a heatingelement at a point within junction box IS.

The heat retaining material with which container l0 may be substantiallyfiled is preferably a liquid, such as oil, but a non-liquid materialsuch as soapstone may be employed, if desired. The function of thismaterial is to retain heat within the peak-load or high-rate currentperiods, during which periods a switch [9 shuts off the current, and tostore heat therein during off-peak load or low-rate during which thecurrent is connected to element I4.

Specifically the device is constructed as follows.

Receptacle ID, as best shown in Figure 2, includes a cylindrical portion2| which has at least one reduced end portion 22 flanged at 23 toreceive a complementary flanged portion 24 of a fitting 26, gasket 25being interposed therebetween to provide a fluid seal. Fitting 26 has agenerally cylindrical body portion and is provided at the opposite endwith a diagonally disposed flange 21 which has secured thereto acompanion flange 28 of a second fitting 29, gasket 30 being interposedbetween the flanges to provide fluid sealing relation therebetween.Fitting 29 is provided with an aperture 3| in right angular relation tothe cylindrical portion of the fitting 25, said aperture being threadedat 32 to receive the lower threaded end of the tubular conduit 15 whichis supported thereby.

The heating unit [4 is preferably axially disposed within tank 2|, beingpositioned therein by means of a heat insulating member 31 which is inturn secured within fitting 26 by means of screws or rivets 38. Heatingelement l 4, as shown in the detail view, Figure 4, comprises a tubularcasing 40 which houses a low resistance current conducting wire M, ahigh resistance heating wire 42, and an electrical insulating substance43 which is unafiected by the heat to which the element is subjected.Wire 42 is preferably brazed to wire II as shown at 44. Housing 4i] maybe continuous from a point adjacent a connector block 561 within thejunction box I6 throughout a loop which extends through conduit I andttings 29 and 26 and thence into receptacle I0 and back through saidfittings and conduit to the block 50. Wire 42 is, however, only providedin the portion which is disposed within receptacle II], and itpreferably extends only from points 52 to points 53 within saidreceptacle, the remainder of the housing having disposed therein onlyconductor 4| and insulation 43. This construction provides the heatingelement with a fluid-proof casing which extends from a point above thewater level of tank I2 down through the heating unit and back to a pointabove said water level.

It is desirable to provide within container It a heat-storing materialwhich has properties of low freezing point, and as heretofore mentioned,I prefer to use oil, although other liquids having the desiredproperties may be used. I have found that under certain conditions thedevice will give satisfactory results with the container filled withwater. An advantage gained by the use of water resides in theelimination of the necessity for tightly sealing the housing partsagainst leakage of liquid from the heat storage tank 2| into the waterin which the tank is submerged. When water is used, it may be introducedtherein from the stock tank by the provision of a small aperture or portthrough each of the plugs 33 shown in Figure 1, the right hand plugbeing illustrated in section in Figure 2. By employing one or more ofthese ported plugs a slow circulation is permitted between the water inthe chamber Ill and that in the stock watering tank I2, to allow forexpansion and contraction of the water in the chamber ID. The parts inthe plugs 33 must, obviously, be closed when oil or a material otherthan water is used as the heat storing medium within the tank 2!. Whencontainer I0 and its associated conduit housings are made of currentconducting material, provision is made for grounding the unit throughconduit I1 and plug I I0, which carry an extra conductor for thispurpose, thereby eliminating the danger of subjecting animals to anelectric shock in the event of a short circuit in the device.

While only one heating element has been described, as disclosed indetail in Figure 2, I prefer to provide one at each end, as shown inFigure 1, the element being connected by a conduit which is encased inhousing I50.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 6 wherein aheating unit IBII includes a receptacle 2 II], which is adapted to befilled with water from the stock tank through at least one aperture 330,and has projected therein at least one smaller container GI) whichcontains oil or the like. Container 60 may be removably secured withinreceptacle 2H1 by having a flanged portion BI bolted or otherwisesecured to a reduced annular shoulder 220 which is provided at the endof the receptacle adjacent an aperture adapted to receive container 66.A supporting and closure wall 310 and an elbowed type housing 290 arealso secured to the ends of tank ZIIJ. Wall 310 provides support for aheating element I40 which is similar in construction to element I4heretofore described, and it also provides means for retaining the heatretaining material within the container. Housing 29% is provided with athreaded aperture ZSI which is adapted to receive and to provide supportfor a vertically positioned tubular conduit IEI which has a junction boxI60 attached to the upper end thereof. Portions of heating element Milextend through conduit iii and into junction box Itll as heretoforedescribed with reference to Figure 2.

Flange portion SI of container 6E has an upper portion thereof providedwith a bore 63 which leads from the interior of the housing through saidflange. Bore 63 may have an outer portion interiorly threaded to receivea pipe 64 which is supported by the flange portion. Pipe (it ispositioned vertically to communicate with an enlarged chamber which isprovided within a housing I35. A pipe 66 which may be considered acontinuation of pipe 64 leads from an upper portion of housing 65 intojunction box Ifili. A pressure actuated switch Bl is positioned withinjunction box I60 and has an apertured plug-like portion 68 disposedwithin the mouth of pipe 65 to provide a closure therefor. Switch til isprovided to control electric energy from line It to heating element I40.Housing 65 is provided with a filler plug 69 and a safety valve Ill.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 and above described isas follows. The lower portion of unit IilIJ including tank 2I0 issubmerged in a stock watering tank or the like, with upper portions ofthe unit including housing 65 and junction box I60 being positionedsubstantially above the Water level in said tank. When the current isturned on, heating element I50 heats the surrounding oil or othermaterial with which tank Gil is substantially filled. Some of the heatfrom said oil is conducted outwardly through the walls of container 60to heat the water within tank 2 I 0 which has entered through aperture330. With the resulting rise in temperature of the water within the tank2I0, heat flows through the walls thereof by conduction to raise thetemperature of the water in the stock-watering tank.

While my invention resides in the provision of a stock watering tankheater which is primarily adapted to draw current during the off-peak orlow rate seasonal daily periods, it is not however necessary ordesirable to allow the current to remain on after the liquid in the heatstorage tank has reached a predetermined temperature. As the temperatureof the oil in container Gil rises, pressure is built up in the verticalcolumn leading to switch 61. This pressure may result from the airwithin the column being compressed by expansion of the heat retainingmaterial, or it may be due to gas which results from a partialvaporization thereof, especially where material other than oil isemployed. To protect the device against injury in the event that switch6] fails to turn the current off in response to the proper pressurebuild-up, a safety valve "I0 is provided. The filler plug 69 permitsreplenishment of liquid into the housing 60.

While switch I9 may be a conventional time switch as heretoforementioned, it may also incorporate switch selecting means as showndiagrammatically in Figure 5. The heating elements may be connected asshown, whereby to provide means for connecting either one or twoelements, as conditions warrant. Hence further economies in theoperation of the device may be effected by manually governing the amountof heat introduced within the tank in accordance with atmospherictemperature changes.

Time switch IE will ordinarily be set to turn the current on at nightduring the low rate period, whereby to accumulate heat in the storagetank for gradual dissipation to the Water in the stock tank during thedaytime or high rate period during which the current will be turned oil.

It will be observed that my improved heater and heat distributingchamber is entirely submerged in the water of the stock watering tank12, out of contact with the walls thereof, and that it provides for heatstorage in chamber 10 and a slow distribution of the stored heat throughthe walls of that chamber into the drinking water in the tank l2,regardless of whether circulation is permitted between water containedin chamber In and the surrounding water, or whether heat distribution isobtained wholly by conduction through the chamber walls. The liquidcontained in that chamber may have a considerable variation intemperature between the time the heater is deenergimd to the time whenfurther heat is required to keep the water in the stock watering tank atthe desired temperature, usually a little above the freezing point.Because of this stepdown transmission of heat from the heater to thedrinking water in the tank I 2, lossof heat by vaporization of thelatter is at all times kept at a minimum. Chamber I0 is preferablycylindrical in form and its axis is substantially horizontal, wherebyits heat may be distributed longitudinally to the tank I2, near thebottom thereof. As shown in Figure 1, the walls of the tank 12 may beheat insulated, material loss of heat occurring only at the surface ofthe drinking water.

I claim:

1. A portable heater for use in an open stock watering tank andcomprising a heat distributing chamber provided with base means adaptedto rest on the bottom of the tank, said chamber having a diametersmaller than the normal depth of water in said tank, whereby saidchamber is adapted to be wholly submerged in the water of the tank, aheat distributing liquid in the chamber, an electrical heater immersedin said liquid within the chamber and adapted When energized to deliverheat to the distributing liquid of the chamber at a rate in excess ofthe rate at which said heat will be delivered off from said chamber tothe Water of the tank in which the chamber is immersed, and anelectrical connection to said heater provided with a housing extensionfrom said chamber to a point above water level in said tank.

2. A portable heater for use in an open stock watering tank, comprisingthe combination of a horizontally elongated chamber of such dimensionsas to provide adequate capacity for heat storage while being adapted tobe wholly submerged in the water of said tank, said chamber beingprovided withmeansfor removably supporting it in a submerged position ina tank in which it is adapted to be used, a heat distributing and heatstoring liquid in the chamber, an electrical heating element immersed insaid liquid in the interior of the chamber, a conduit extending fromsaid chamber to a point above the water level of the tank in which thechamber is used, and electrical connections extending through saidconduit to said element, said connections including time controlledmeans for periodically energizing said element.

3. A portable heater for use in an open stock watering tank, comprisinga heat distributing chamber having uninsulated heat conducting walls andprovided with means for removably supporting it in a position whollysurrounded by the water in said tank, a heat distributing liquid in saidchamber, and a time controlled electrical heater enclosed in saidchamber.

4. A stock watering tank heater including a casing adapted to besubmerged in a water tank out of contact with the walls thereof, saidcasing having ports permitting limited circulation of water between theinterior thereof and the tank water, an electrical heater located insaid casing, and time controlled electrical means for periodicallyenergizing the heater.

5. In a stock tank heater, the combination with a substantially closedcasing adapted for mounting removably in the tank below normal waterlevel and provided with independent supports whereby it is spaced fromthe tank walls, said casing being provided with an aperture to allowrestricted communication between the tank water and the casing interior,of a second and smaller casing having its major portion disposed withinthe first mentioned casing in sealing relation to the walls thereof, andan electrical heater located within the smaller casing and surrounded byheat storing material adapted for heat transfer through the casing wallsand the liquid contained in the enclosing casing to the water in thestock tank.

6. The combination with a stock watering tank of a cylindrical chambersupported in the lower portion of said tank out of contact with itsbottom and ported for slow communication between the tank water and theinterior of said chamber, a tubular connection leading downwardlythrough the tank water and through one end of said chamber, anelectrical heater within the chamber, insulated conductors leadingthrough the tubular connection to the electrical heater, and a timecontrolled switch regulating delivery of electrical current to saidheater.

'7. A heater for open stock watering tanks including in combination aheat storing chamber adapted to be submerged in the tank water, meansfor supporting said chamber out ofi contact with the walls of the tank,a casing enclosed in said heat storing chamber, a tubular passageextending downwardly from above the tank to said casing, an electricalheater located within the casing and having energizing connectionsleading thereto through said tubular passage, and heat storing materialwithin the casing and in which the electrical heater is embedded,

8. A heater as set forth in claim '7, having switch means disposed abovethe level of the tank water and connected by conduit means to theinterior of said heat storing chamber for actuation by expansion andcontraction of the heated material to control delivery of electricalcurrent to the heater.

9. The combination with a stock watering tank having submergedconcentric receptacles filled with heat transferring material, anelectrical heater embedded in the material contained in the innerreceptacle, a tubular passage leading downwardly to the inner receptaclefrom a point above the tank, and electrical connections leading throughsaid passage to the heater, said electrical connections including apressure actuated switch exposed to variations in pressure due tochanges in temperature of the material contained within said casings,and timing devices cooperatively controlling delivery of electricalenergy to said heater.

10. In a submersible water tank heater, the combination with .a casingprovided with an aperture to allow a restricted communication betweenthe tank water and the interior of the casing, of an electricallyenergizable heating element disposed within the casing in electricallyinsulated relation to the water, and means for periodically energizingsaid element.

11. A stock Watering tank heater including a sealedreceptacle adaptedfordisposition below the water level of a stock watering tank, saidreceptacle being substantially filled with a liquid having properties ofhigh heat retentivity, a heating element within the receptacle adaptedto be excited by an electric current and of such characteristics as todeliver heat to said liquid at a rate exceeding the rate of radiationtherefrom to the water of said tank, and time switch means connectedwith the heating element whereby the element may be excited duringperiods of low current cost and disconnected therefrom during periods ofhigh current cost, and said receptacle and the liquid therein willcontinue to give oiT heat during the disconnected period.

12. A heating device including the combination with a substantiallyclosed casing having dimensions adapting it to be substantiallysurrounded by water in the stock-watering tank, said casing beingprovided with an aperture to allow restricted communication withoutsubstantial circulation between the water and the casing interior, of asecond and smaller casing at least partially disposed within said firstmentioned casing in sealing relation thereto and provided interiorlythereof with an electric heater, heat storing means disposed within saidsecond casing, electric means for periodically heating said material, apressure actuated switch disposed above the water in the watering tank,and conduit means between said switch and the interior of said secondcasing, whereby pneumatic pressure from within the casing may actuatethe switch, said switch being in operative association with saidelectric heating means, whereby said heating means is responsive tocertain pressure changes in the second casing.

13. A device as described in claim 12, provided with a spring biasedsafety valve positioned above the water, tank level in a position to becontacted by said gas pressure intermediate said switch and said secondcasing, whereby to relieve abnormal gaseous pressures Within said casingand conduit.

CHARLES D. OR'IGIESEN.

